Caishen Cruises To Launceston Cup Glory

THE Anthony Azzopardi roadshow rolled into Launceston on Monday night with Caishen a brilliant winner of the Group 2 Launceston Cup Final (515m).

Fresh off a group 1 winning double at The Meadows on Saturday night, the Azzopardi-trained Caishen looked to have a mortgage on the $40,000 to-the-winner finale, following a spectacular heat winning performance last Monday evening.

But after drawing precariously out in box eight, the regally bred son of Fernando Bale and Ready Riot was always going to need to do everything right to annex the group 2 feature and justify his odds-on quote.

Despite only stepping moderately from the boxes, it wasn't long until the Paws Of Thunder placegetter was in full stride, surging down the outside of the track to assume the lead out of the first turn.

Tragically however, it was there that the race was marred with despair, after local star Nitro Sambar fell heavily heading into the first corner.

Bowling along out in front was a flying Caishen, holding a decent margin to the line to defeat locals Twisted Reality and Connected in 29.79.

For owners Matt and Charlie Riccio, Monday night's Launceston Cup proved most rewarding, having suggested the race to Azzopardi as a potential target for their star galloper a few weeks back.

On Saturday night at The Meadows, Azzopardi was on top of the greyhound racing world, courtesy of Just Terms' Zoom Top victory and Whiskey Riot's Temlee triumph.

Caishen is a litter brother to Whiskey Riot, the sons of Fernando Bale continuing the remarkable deeds of generational brood Ready To Riot.

Her progeny is now responsible for 162 race wins and $2.35 million in prize money … and counting.

For Azzopardi, it's hard to imagine a better start to 2020.

The leading Victorian mentor has had 53 starters this year for 20 wins and 18 placings. The kennels prize money earnings exceeding $310,000.

The kennel take a star-studded team into Saturday night's Group 1 Australian Cup heats, with Whiskey Riot and Caishen tackling the $250,000 to-the-winner series fresh off group race wins.